Victory Boyd is a Grammy award winning singer/songwriter from Detroit Michigan. She is one of nine siblings who got her start singing in the Boys & Girls Choir of Detroit, founded by her father, John Boyd.

Victory made her first solo recording on Jay Z’s Roc Nation label and went on to collaborate with Kanye West for his 2019 album Jesus is King.

Her most recent album, Glory Hour is an inspirational 18-track collection marking her first gospel album.

In this episode, Victory shares about her upbringing in a vibrant musical family, the discipline of spontaneity, along with the deep spiritual roots that inform her work as an artist.

Speaking to our season theme of Art & Identity, Victory shares about the journey of finding her identity rooted in inheritance rather than in striving after acceptance.

S10 E09: Subjects in Motion with Young Oceans

YOUNG OCEANS is a neo-alternative worship project that evolved from a gathering of musicians, re-imagining hymns in a New York City apartment.

Untethered from the expectations of a traditional congregational format, these artful re-renderings gave birth to a sound that is at once familiar and refreshingly innovative. The musical ethos of Young Oceans emerged as more a companion to reflective prayer and meditation than to a typical church experience.

In this episode, Stephen Roach talks with Young Oceans founder and songwriter, Eric Marshall about his latest project, Subjects In Motion. This full-length album features an all-star line up of artists such as Amanda Cook, Josh Garrels, Molly Pardon, Liz Vice, John Mark Pantana and many others, each singing new versions of previously released Young Ocean Songs.

*Patrons of the podcast can enjoy further discussions with Young Oceans on motivations in art making, radical individualism and collaboration.

S7 E01: Peopled With Dreams with John Mark McMillan

In this Season opening episode, Stephen talks with singer-songwriter John Mark McMillan about the creative process behind his new album Peopled With Dreams

S6 E1: Chrysaline with Josh Garrels

In this opening episode, Stephen talks with singer-songwriter Josh Garrels about his latest release, Chrysaline. The two discuss the personally transformative experiences that informed the making of these songs and how collaboration and environment impacted Josh’s creative process. Josh shares openly about his experience of personal frustration that led him to place his music on the altar.

*Be sure to listen to the end as Josh addresses the latest trend of what feels like a mass exodus from the faith by so many people in our generation.

“This may be one of the more timely and important conversations we have had on the podcast. I look forward to discussing this further with our creative collective over the next few weeks.” – Stephen

Bonus Episode: Martin Smith

Earlier this year, I traveled to the beautiful country of England. While I was there, I had the opportunity to meet with singer/songwriter Martin Smith in his hometown of Brighton. We shared a breakfast together and afterwards I asked if he would be willing to answer a few questions I could share with our listeners. Martin was gracious and obliged, so I quickly pulled out my cell phone and captured our conversation.

**Disclaimer: Because the conversation was recorded on my iPhone, the production is a bit raw. But I felt the conversation was inspiring enough to share with you anyway.

Music, Singer-songwriter, Bonus Episode, WorshipStephen RoachMay 17, 2019sin, worship, Martin Smith, Delirious

S5 E5: The Creative Environment with Graham Cooke

Graham Cooke is an internationally recognized author, public speaker and strategist. He is known for a radical faith and friendship with God.

Graham's books have helped organizations and individuals overcome negative, limited thinking and transition toward a higher level of corporate and spiritual life.

An integral part of Graham's work involves producing resources for helping the poor and for eradicating human trafficking through supporting the organization, NOT FOR SALE.

In this episode, Stephen talks with Graham about cultivating environments to serve his creative and spiritual disciplines.

*Patrons can enjoy additional interview segments on how to deal with rejection and establishing healthy rhythms.

S4 E3: Evergreen with Audrey Assad

Audrey Assad is a singer/songwriter from Nashville, Tennessee who has written and recorded ten albums to date, including her recent release, Evergreen. In this episode, Stephen talks with Audrey about the gut-wrenching deconstruction of her faith and the fertile ground of re-birth which fuels the concept behind Evergreen.

Patrons of the podcast can enjoy an additional interview with Audrey at Patreon.com/makersandmystics.

S3 E3: A Journey To The Heart with Ken Helser

Ken Helser is a visual artist, storyteller, musician and founder of the 52-acre retreat center, A Place For The Heart in Sophia, North Carolina. For the past 30 years, Ken has mentored students from across the world, teaching them to hear and journal the voice of God through writing. Currently, Ken partners with his son and daughter-in-law, Jonathan David and Melissa Helser at their 18 Inch Journey School.

In this episode, Ken talks with Stephen about the core motives of the heart and how to navigate the deeper concerns facing many artists today. Ken shares from his own journey through rejection, imitation and the discovery of how "the key to discipline is desire."

Featured Music by Cageless Birds

Season Premiere! S3 E1: Around The Table with Jason Upton

In this episode, Stephen talks with singer/songwriter, Jason Upton about linear versus circular creative processes. This episode features previously unreleased material from the artist.

Season 2 E1: The Nearness Of You Is My Only Good - An Interview with Dave Wilton

In this episode, Stephen interviews Colorado artist Dave Wilton of the music group Loudharp. Dave is a producer, recording engineer and also writes and performs under the name A Boy & his kite. His music has appeared in major releases such as The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 and the upcoming independent, award-winning film The Remnant.

Music, WorshipStephen RoachJanuary 10, 2017